June 1, 2007
TEMPE, Ariz. - Thanks to another outstanding performance by Brian Flores and some timely long balls, the Arizona State Sun Devils were able to hang on for a 5-3 victory over Monmouth in the Tempe Regional. Monmouth made it interesting in the ninth, scoring twice, but Jason Jarvis was able to work out of the jam to help the Devils advance. ASU is now 44-13 on the season.
Flores lasted eight innings, allowed only three hits and two runs, one earned to improve to 10-1 on the year. Flores also fanned eight Hawks. The ten wins for Flores gives Arizona State three ten-game winners, the first time since 1990 that ASU has boasted that feat.
Kiel Roling got the Devils on the board in the second, homering to right field for an early 1-0 lead. The Hawks tied the game in the ninth, scoring an unearned run on a throwing error by Flores.
Ike Davis put ASU back on top in the sixth, tomahawking a ball onto Rural Road for a two-run shot and a 3-1 Sun Devil lead. A Petey Paramore RBI single in the seventh pushed the lead to 4-1, then a CJ Retherford pinch hit home run made it 5-1 heading to the ninth.
Monmouth mounted a rally of Flores and Jarvis, scoring twice and putting the tying on second before Jarvis was able to fan the final batter to secure the victory.
Tim Smith, Kiel Roling and Petey Paramore each had two hits in the game for the Sun Devils. UC Riverside defeated Nebraska 10-5 in Game One of the Tempe Regional, meaning the Sun Devils and Highlanders will meet in the 7 p.m. game on Saturday. UC Riverside will be the designated home team. Monmouth will face Nebraska at 2 p.m. in the first elimination game.